Health-Related Quality of Life Among Mexican Americans Living in Colonias at the Texas-Mexico Border

A major challenge faced by public health is eliminating health disparities and increasing quality of life. Mexican Americans living in colonias along the Texas-Mexico border comprise one of the most disadvantaged and difficult to reach minority groups in the United States. This article examines health-related quality of life (HRQL) in Hispanics, specifically living in colonias. Colonias are settlements beyond the jurisdiction of cities where many live in trailers or self-constructed houses and lack basic services. Using data from the Integrated Health Research System Project (IHOS), a longitudinal project to help isolated colonia residents better understand physical and mental health issues. A household survey in 2002-2003 collected data from adults ages 18 years and older living in three separate colonia areas in Hidalgo County, resulting in a 368-person study.

Key Findings:

Compared to U.S. and Hispanic norms, participants reported worse health, similar mental health norms, which may be due, in part, to the immigrant community being younger.

Significant health status differences in physical and mental summary score existed between those living in the colonia less than three years versus those living there four or more years.

Eighty-one percent of respondents considered that access to health care service was a problem in their colonia.